Fractionation and identification of bioactive constituents from Sapium ellipticum (Hochst) leaf extract

Abstract

In view of antidiabetic and antioxidant properties observed in a previous study, crude
ethanol leaf extract of Sapium ellipticum (SE) was fractionated using Silica gel F254
column chromatography to yield 164 fractions. Pooling together of fractions with similar
thin layer chromatographic (TLC) mobility profile afforded five major fractions with
masses ranging from 0.06 to 2.09 g, and retention factor (RF) ranging from 0.59 to 0.87.
Bioactivity of the fractions obtained was evaluated against streptozotocin-induced
oxidative stress and diabetes in adult Wistar rats. HPLC-MS analysis of active fractions in
dynamic MRM mode using compound-specific parameters revealed the presence of
lupeol, luteolin-7-O-glucosides, amentoflavone and α-tocopherol in S. ellipticum leaf
extract. This array of phytochemicals present in the plant extract is arguably responsible
for its pharmacological and medicinal properties.

Keywords: Sapium ellipticum, Bioactive constituents, Fractionation, Chromatography